James JohnstonWhen James Johnston and Chase Matthew teamed up for their new single SMOKE I’VE KNOWN, Australian fans at got something even better, the duo performing the track live together for the very first time.
The surprise moment went down at Meatstock Toowoomba before the pair brought it to Brisbane, turning what was already a high energy set from Matthew into something genuinely special.
Backed by a full band and a crowd that was clearly all-in, Johnston and Matthew leaned into the track’s shared themes of roots and identity. There’s a natural chemistry between the two which makes sense given how the song came together in the first place.
“This song really explores how 'country' means different things to different people, and for me, 'SMOKE I’VE KNOWN' is a tribute to my roots - the dirt bikes, bonfire nights, and those memories that instantly take you back home. Working with Chase came together so naturally because, despite the distance between us, we realised we’re just two small-town country boys with very similar stories.” says Johnston
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“The whole experience was honestly unreal and felt completely effortless from the start; whether we were writing the track in Nashville or spending days riding bikes while filming the video, nothing ever felt forced. We clicked straight away, and I think that's what makes this entire project feel so honest and universal.”
“SMOKE I’VE KNOWN is an honest tribute to the roots and memories that shape us. Even though Chase grew up in Tennessee and I’m from Australia, this song proves that while country life looks different across the world, the heart behind it is the same. I want people to hear this, feel proud of where they came from, and remember that their story is theirs to tell.”
Matthew echoed that same energy around the collab: “SMOKE I’VE KNOWN was one of those songs that was magic from the start. James and I hit it off on social media and told our publishers to get us together. Australia is one of my favorite places in the world, and we immediately knew we wanted to write a song that represents country music worldwide. James being an Australian native in the country genre made this collaboration so authentically us, and I’ll speak for James when I say – this is the SMOKE I’VE KNOWN, I can’t wait for everyone to check it out.”
For Johnston, the performance adds another moment to an already massive run. Fresh off a huge showing at CMC Rocks and coming off back-to-back wins at the Countrytown Awards - including Entertainer of the Year - the live debut of SMOKE I’VE KNOWN feels like a natural next step in his global domination.
